Transmission towers carry electricity across Laos.                  --Photo Electricite Du Laos

Southern Power Grid posts strong performance in 2025

Electricity access across southern Laos continued to expand in 2025, with coverage now extending to 98 percent of premises, while the Southern Power Grid Management Department strengthened system management and increased electricity exports.
Reporting on the department’s 2025 performance and plan of operations for 2026 at its annual review meeting, the Deputy Head of the Southern Power Grid Management Department, Mr Sukhito Hongvanthong, said the rollout of specialised technical operations would continue, in line with seven performance indicators.
The review meeting took place on February 9-10.
Emphasis will be placed on improving service delivery and strengthening system management to build a more resilient operational foundation, he said.
The department will also tackle weaknesses and tasks as yet unfulfilled, while enhancing efficiency across all work areas to ensure the safety and stability of power supply.
The Southern Power Grid Management Department operates under Electricité du Laos (EDL) and oversees six provincial branches in Khammuan, Savannakhet, Salavan, Champasak, Attapeu and Xekong.
The department currently manages 29 power generation plants, two 230/115/22kV substations, and 18 substations operating at 115/22kV.
Its transmission and distribution network includes 2,783 circuit-kilometers of 115kV high-voltage lines, 15,036 circuit-kilometers of medium-voltage lines, and 10,054 circuit-kilometers of low-voltage lines.
In addition, the system includes 14,159 transformers and 649,291 electricity meters.
In 2025, the department focused on strengthening leadership and guiding staff in the implementation of technical operations. Priority was given to ensuring a reliable electricity supply, enhancing system management, and advancing reform initiatives across seven key work groups and 26 action plans.
These initiatives involved improving operational efficiency, strengthening debt management, implementing strategic plans and institutional vision, refining service policies, and enhancing the oversight of transmission lines and substations.
The overall objective was to ensure continuous, stable, and high-quality electricity transmission from power generation sources to Lao consumers and international markets.
In 2025, 782GWh was imported from Thailand’s Electricity Generating Authority (EGAT) through three southern interconnection points, representing a decrease of 428GWh compared to 2024.
In the reverse direction, Laos supplied 1,065GWh to EGAT, an increase of 341GWh year-on-year.
In addition, 2,988GWh of electricity was transmitted to Cambodia through three southern connection points, up 116GWh compared to 2024.
Electricity supply across the six southern provinces reached 98.37 percent of all properties, with full coverage now available in 52 districts. Meanwhile, 3,072 villages, representing 97.09 percent of the total, and 561,915 households, accounting for 98.02 percent, now have access to electricity.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update February 13, 2026)